my surgery is in 2 weeks. i am worried where the ileostomy site will be. i know its usually down and to the right of belly button a few inches but thta is where my waistline is and i cant have my pants and belt right on top of my stoma. is it possible to have it directly to the right of the belly button? or is that considered too high and are there issues with having it at a certain area?

Hi, I take it you are going to the Cleveland Clinic? They will have a stoma nurse come and tatoo you for the the site. They will help find the best spot for you. They are wonderful. Best of Luck to you.

YES cleveland clinic, i know the process, i just wanted to know if it was aproblem with putting it where i questioned? it seems the general location is a few inches below and to the right of the belly button.

Ask for an appointment with your stoma nurse a few days before your op (not ON the op day). He/she will watch you sitting, standing, the clothes you wear etc and (hopefully) mark your stoma in the appropriate position.

You DO NOT want your stoma in a position where it will interfere with pants or belts waistlines. You want it below these. To do otherwise will mean that the waistline on your pants or the belt will stop everything from falling into your bag as required. See http://www.ostomates.org/ostomies.html#import for an illustrated version of what I'm trying to say.

Good luck.

below my beltline? wouldnt that be way too low? my beltline is about 3-4 inches below my belly button.

Wee Willie (my end ileostomy) is 2 inches to the right and 4 inches below of my belly button. It is unusually low even for a woman but thats how I like it and that is where I had my stoma nurse position it because I had problems with my loop ileo which was 2 inches higher.

I know that you are worried about your ostomy bag hanging down your leg but if you do like I do and wear it at an angle across your belly then it won't be a problem. Get some good quality lycra underwear (lycra boxers are great for the guys) which will support the bag and hold it close to your body. This will spread the load once it start to fill and support the bag so that you wont have that awful dragging lopsided sensation.

If you do want still want to have the stoma placed above your beltline then I suggest you get a Pheonix ostomy belt which will keep it from hanging down over your pants. Here's a link to their web site:

http://www.ostomysupportsystem.com/product.html

You have to wear your bag horizontally but it really doesn't interfere with emptying and a lot of people (especially the guys) swear by them.

Good luck.

Shell